A British dog could have set a new world record after giving birth naturally to a litter of 21 puppies. Astonishing right?
Joanne Hine watched in amazement as her Great Dane and American bulldog cross Mary Jane, who is also affectionately known as MJ, popped out her enormous brood.
The owner was initially told her beloved pooch would give birth to between six and eight pups.
However, an examination closer to MJ's due date showed the actual total was going to be much higher - potentially even record-breaking.
The Guinness World Record for the largest litter stands at 24, born to a Neapolitan mastiff called Tia in Cambridgeshire in 2004.
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The Isle of Man native said: "When the vets told me it would probably be more after they'd said she would have just six to eight I said, 'no way!'.
"I'm so proud of her. MJ did it all on her own with Annie and Ruth of Jane Callow Veterinary Practice by her side the whole time.
"MJ only has nine nipples and 14 pups so bottle feeding them every two hours is a team effort from us all."
Sadly, six of MJ's puppies were stillborn and one died soon after the birth on 20th November. Despite this, Joanne said the remaining 14 pups, who are named after different chocolate bars, are happy and healthy.
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Many of the puppies, who are a bull mastiff rottweiler cross, are yet to be re-homed, although two are soon being taken to a new family in Yorkshire.
But there's no fear of MJ delivering again as Joanne admitted her beloved pooch will now be neutered - as she's read that a second litter can be bigger than the first.
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Too right. We think MJ deserves a well earned break.
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: Dog, Life News, Real, Animals